The new Labour government’s Renters’ Rights Bill – which delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to reform the private rented sector and improve the quality of housing in it – is set to transform the rental sector for Waltham Forest’s private renters, and many more for years to come.

It will:

• Abolish Section 21 ’no-fault’ evictions, applying the changes to both existing and new tenancies at the same time – giving all tenants security as soon as possible.

• Ban rental bidding wars, by cracking down on those who make the most of the housing crisis by forcing tenants to bid for their properties. Landlords and letting agents will be legally required to publish an asking rent for their property. They will also be banned from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price.

• Introduce extra protections for tenants to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

• End rental discrimination for those on benefits or with children, protecting tenants from poor living conditions by extending Awaab’s Law to the private sector and introducing the Decent Homes Standard, and are giving tenants the right to request a pet.

Responding to the introduction of the Renters’ Reform Bill, Waltham Forest Labour’s Cllr Khevyn Limbajee said,

“The last Conservative Government promised renters in Waltham Forest they would ban no-fault evictions more than five years ago – but they let them down again and again. The new Labour government is different – and we are taking action.

“Labour’s Renters’ Reform Bill will transform the rights and protections of renters in Waltham Forest and across the country. Everyone deserves the right to a safe and secure place to live – and that’s what Labour will deliver.”

“The Tories left this country broke and broken – and getting this country back on track will take time – but Labour is taking action every day to fix the foundations of our country and get Britain moving again.”

Tom Darling, Director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said:

“This is a stronger piece of legislation than the previous attempt, and we’re pleased to see the inclusion of longer eviction notice periods and a longer eviction-free ‘protected period’ from the start of a tenancy, demands renter groups have consistently called for.”